Captain America: Brave New World’s Biggest Mistake Revealed

by

Marvel Studios’ latest production, titled “Captain America: A New Era“, was released in cinemas this weekend. While it managed a respectable opening at the box office, the film has garnered a mixed response from both critics and viewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 51% approval rating among critics, and CinemaScore audiences have given it a rather uninspiring B- grade. This initial outing for Sam Wilson as the new Captain America falls short of the resounding success that the character’s legacy would suggest.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that “Captain America: Brave New World” had its moments. Anthony Mackie, who’s been consistently impressive in both Marvel and non-Marvel roles, showcases his versatility and charm perfectly suitable to carry on the Captain America legacy from Chris Evans. However, some typical pitfalls of contemporary franchise filmmaking, such as studio hesitance and a less-than-stellar script, didn’t quite do justice to Mackie’s talents. It’s unfortunate that one of the film’s main marketing points ended up being a significant misstep for the movie as a whole.

Big Red SPOILER Warning

In the promotional strategy for “Captain America: Brave New World”, it wasn’t Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson assuming the role as the title’s patriotic superhero that was most emphasized, but rather the unique antagonist he confronts: President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who ultimately becomes Red Hulk. Harrison Ford takes over the part from the late William Hurt, and both actors delivered their best performances given the subpar material they were provided.

Essentially, Marvel Studios positioned Captain America: Brave New World as a battle between Captain America and the Red Hulk. This was evident in the initial poster, where the famous Vibranium shield was grasped by the Red Hulk, and in all trailers and commercials, which heavily focused on the Red Hulk character, particularly with the casting of Harrison Ford, a Hollywood legend, as the character. However, this marketing strategy seems to have undermined the film’s dramatic impact because the Red Hulk is only shown in its entirety during the climax of the movie. Consequently, the tension that usually builds throughout a film is absent due to the lack of Red Hulk’s presence before the final scenes.

In “Captain America: Brave New World,” the primary conflict revolves around Sam Wilson and President Ross. Their past encounters, as portrayed in “Captain America: Civil War” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” have left a trail of tension that follows them into this new story. Although their initial meeting in the film’s teaser trailer seems to gloss over this history, it’s clear that the lingering effects of their past are still very much present. Unfortunately, the trailers for the movie reveal most of the conflict upfront, and the film itself seems to build up the appearance of Red Hulk as a major twist, despite many viewers already being aware of his eventual involvement due to the promotional materials focusing on this confrontation.

A Stealth The Incredible Hulk Sequel

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing “Captain America: Brave New World,” the 35th breathtaking installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the fourth captivating chapter in the Captain America saga. This film serves as a groundbreaking milestone, marking Sam Wilson’s official assumption of the iconic shield once bestowed upon him by Steve Rogers in “Avengers: Endgame.” In essence, it heralds a fresh era within the MCU, acting as a soft-reboot for the Captain America franchise.

For those who followed Sam’s transformative journey in the Disney+ series, “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” his standalone film was an eagerly awaited addition to the thrilling Multiverse Saga. With the saga needing a formidable figurehead for its future Avengers lineup, this film serves as a significant stepping stone.

Regrettably, “Captain America: Brave New World” seems more focused on routine action scenes for Sam Wilson’s character rather than deepening it significantly. This is in contrast to the engaging and cinematic action we saw in “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.” However, the opportunity for Sam’s character development in his debut solo film as Captain America is dampened due to weak world-building and a heavy reliance on fan service, which is some of the poorest seen within the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far. Unfortunate, much of this appears to be tied to certain plot points introduced in “The Incredible Hulk” from 2008.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say it’s thrilling to see “The Incredible Hulk,” directed by Louis Letterier and starring Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner, finally acknowledged in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after 17 years (or nine if you count Thunderbolt Ross’ cameo in Captain America: Civil War). In Captain America: Brave New World, we not only get to see Thunderbolt Ross but also the return of two characters who haven’t been around since The Incredible Hulk – Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), who makes a brief appearance in the film’s final scene, and Samuel Sterns/The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson). Interestingly, Samuel Sterns turns out to be the main villain of the movie, working alongside the somewhat disappointing Red Hulk, which might just be the biggest problem with the film. This issue underscores some of the narrative challenges that the MCU faces in the post-Endgame era.

Sam Wilson Underserved

In “Captain America: Brave New World,” director Julius Onah and co-writers Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Peter Glanz choose to focus more on expanding the cinematic universe and catering to fans rather than advancing Sam Wilson’s character development. Despite scenes featuring action, close calls with death, and typical political struggles, Sam Wilson does not encounter any substantial challenges in this film. Critics argue that the film misses an opportunity for character growth, as Sam himself mentions that it’s been three years since “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” and this movie should have marked a significant turning point in his character arc. Although there are minor narrative tensions involving Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), their stories remain underdeveloped within the film, leaving little lasting impact.

In the movies “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Captain America: Civil War,” Steve Rogers undergoes intense tests on his beliefs and values, leading him to a deep introspection. These films depict the decisions he makes, which significantly influence his role in the Avengers and the global political landscape at that time. In “Thor: Ragnarok,” the inclusion of Bruce Banner/Hulk (played by Mark Ruffalo) alongside Thor (Chris Hemsworth) was emphasized in promotional materials as a treat for fans, but the film didn’t rely solely on Hulk’s popularity. Instead, it utilized his presence to foster character development for both Thor and Hulk. Conversely, “Captain America: Brave New World” uses Sam Wilson to advance the MCU storyline, sacrificing substantial growth opportunities for Sam himself.

A Middling MCU Movie

Fundamentally, “Captain America: Brave New World” doesn’t spark interest in the continuing storyline of the MCU, which is unfortunate considering that “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” are approaching faster than expected. This movie, with a lackluster plot more focused on Kevin Feige’s world-building rather than character growth, and prematurely revealing too much by marketing it around Red Hulk, is another lackluster addition to the Marvel Studios lineup following “Endgame.

It’s truly disappointing that the underwhelming conclusion of “Captain America: Brave New World” marks Sam Wilson’s first standalone cinematic solo film as Captain America. When Anthony Mackie made his debut in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” 11 years ago, his captivating charm and strong screen presence were a welcome addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The poignant moment when Steve Rogers handed the shield to Sam at the end of “Avengers: Endgame” has become an iconic scene in comic book film history. Regrettably, “Captain America: Brave New World” falls short as a leading movie, and Mackie deserves a more impressive showcase of his talents.

Read More

2025-02-18 21:54